Veerappan releases one hostage, Govindraj

S Ramanand in Talavadi

Forest brigand Veerappan released one of his three hostages, Kannada film icon Rajakumar's son-in-law Dr A S Govindraj, late on Monday evening.

Govindraj, who was released in the Satyamangalam forest range on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, emerged from the jungle along with government emissary and Nakkeeran editor R R Gopal. The two were then taken to Bangalore by road.

Govindraj, who was one of three persons abducted along with Rajakumar from his home in Gajanur on July 30, was apparently released because of his deteriorating health. One of them, Nagappa Maradagi, managed to escape a few days ago.

But the ageing film star and another associate Nagesh continue to be in the bandit's custody. The three other emissaries, including Tamil Desiya Iyakkam (National Movement) leader P Nedumaran, who had gone into the forest with Gopal, also stayed back.

Apparently, Veerappan has decided to wait for the outcome in the Supreme Court of the hearing of the TADA detenues' case on Tuesday. Thereafter he will resume negotiations with Nedumaran and the others for Rajakumar's release.

Earlier, both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were rife with rumours of the impending release of the aged film star and his companions, ending a hostage drama that has dragged on now for 77 days. But it now appears that they will have to wait a while longer.